A Waldorf Journey Podcast

The beginning of August makes the new school year suddenly feel real. Whether you've already begun planning or are just starting to think about it, this podcast is for you.

In this episode, I share the three areas I would focus on this week if I were preparing for a new school year. What are three things you can do to help make sure you're starting your lesson planning on the right foot? I encourage teachers to begin with the relati...

One of the greatest gifts of Waldorf education is rhythm.

When we think about rhythm, we often think first about the daily rhythm of the classroom or the larger rhythm of the school year. But one of the rhythms that has made the biggest difference in my own teaching is the rhythm of the week.

In this episode, I explore how giving each day its own character can simplify planning, reduce decision fatigue, and create a classroom that fe...

When I begin planning a new main lesson block, I don't start by writing daily lesson plans. Instead, I begin by thinking about the larger picture: the stories, skills, experiences, and artistic work that will shape the children's experience over the coming weeks.

In this episode, I walk through the framework I use to plan every main lesson block and explain why each element matters.

In this episode:

• Why I don't begin with individu...

When I began teaching, I thought authority was something to avoid.

I wanted to be kind. Understanding. Flexible. I also lacked confidence and didn't feel particularly qualified to tell them what to do. I thought that if I cared enough, authority would somehow take care of itself.

It didn't.

Over time I learned that children aren't looking for adults who step back—they're looking for adults who can step forward with calm confiden...

Summer is a season of rest—but it's also an opportunity to lay the foundation for a joyful, well-prepared school year.

In this episode, I share the approach I've developed over more than twenty years of Waldorf teaching for easing into summer planning without sacrificing the rest and renewal that every teacher needs.

Rather than jumping straight into lesson plans, I suggest four simple ways to begin:

• Gather the planning supp...

After a year of being mostly quiet, I'm back behind the microphone! In this episode, I share where I've been, why I stepped back from creating content, and what's next for A Waldorf Journey.

I talk about my unexpected return to the classroom, the balance of teaching and school leadership, and why I'm excited to have more time this year to mentor teachers, create resources, and record podcasts again—even if they're a little mor...

In this episode, I’m diving into what it really takes to start the year strong in first grade. This is such a tender, transformative time—children are stepping out of the warm, dreamy world of early childhood and into something more structured, more purposeful. And they’re looking to you for clarity, confidence, and rhythm.

First grade is when we really begin to form the class, and the habits we establish early on ...

What does it really mean to create a Waldorf-inspired home? In this episode, I share what first drew me to the peaceful beauty of Waldorf living—and the moments when it felt completely out of reach. From the temptation to chase the aesthetic to the deeper values that truly make a Waldorf home, we’ll explore how rhythm, simplicity, and presence matter more than wooden toys and silks.

We’ll talk about:

• The heart o...

In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I explore the unique approach to teaching natural sciences in a Waldorf classroom, with a particular focus on physiology and anatomy in the seventh and eighth grades. I discuss how Waldorf education brings warmth, storytelling, and experiential learning to these subjects, fostering a deep and lasting connection rather than just rote memorization.

Topics Covered:

🦴 The importance of warming the s...

In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I welcome my colleague Laura Elmore for a deep dive into one of the most cherished Waldorf traditions—the class play. With decades of experience in Waldorf education, Laura shares her insights into why class plays are such an integral part of the curriculum, how they evolve from the early grades to middle school, and the pedagogical purpose behind them.

Looking for a play to perfor...

In this episode, I take a moment to share a personal story about my decision to leave teaching and the journey that followed. Teaching, especially in a Waldorf school, is a deeply fulfilling experience—but it also comes with its challenges. I reflect on the thoughts that led to my transition, from the pressures of the classroom to the realization that I needed a more sustainable and financially secure path forward.

What You'll...

Welcome to A Waldorf Journey! Let's explore the artistic tools that shape a Waldorf classroom, from beeswax crayons to colored pencils, and why these choices matter for child development.

🔹 Beeswax Crayons – Supporting grip strength, movement, and blending colors for a sensory-rich experience.
🔹 Why No Graphite Pencils? – Encouraging openness and self-expression rather than rigid precision.
🔹 Markers vs....

In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I dive into the essential role of mentorship in supporting Waldorf teachers.

Join me as I explore the benefits and challenges of mentorship in Waldorf schools, from the common practice of pairing new teachers with experienced colleagues to the advantages of working with an external mentor. I discuss the importance of confidentiality in the mentor-mentee relationship, the power of self-reflection...

Prefer to watch this on YouTube? Check it out here!

In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I take a deep dive into one of the most inspiring aspects of Waldorf education: the transition from teaching mythology to history through the grades.

Join me as I explore how this unique approach supports child development, nurturing imagination in the younger grades and fostering analytical thinking in later years. From fairy tales in f...

These days my inbox is filled with two kinds of questions.

1. Can you give me some advice for writing end-of-year reports?
2. Do you have suggestions for making summer planning easier?

Luckily, I have thoughts on both of those topics. You can find lots of information about them both on the blog. But I mention this just because it points out the dilemma that teachers face right now.

The blog post for this episode.
Waldorf ...

In this episode, I take a look at the Waldorf traditions and ceremonies that mark students' development and transitions. Waldorf is really good at marking time in this way and it's one of the things many of us really love about Waldorf Education.

The blog post for this episode.

Waldorf at Work: My super-practical, actionable Substack newsletter.
Email me about summer mentoring.
Interested in my Summer Planning c...

Interested in following me on my new adventure? You can subscribe at:
waldorfatwork.substack.com

Also in this episode, I talk about the question I hate most: "Am I Waldorf enough?" I talk through the assumptions that are embedded in this question and some of the reasons why they are completely misguided.

Because, newsflash, Waldorf is not about playing the flute, singing songs, or spending lots of time outside. It'...

How do you demonstrate your commitment to learning and growing? What mistakes have you made recently? How do you show others that it's okay to make mistakes? And how do you make sure you're REALLY okay with making mistakes?

Finding these answers has been a big part of my work recently, and my own path as a learning, growing human being -- even as a grown-up. It's also the topic of my new project Evolving Pigeon -- even old b...

A brand new episode catching you up on why I left teaching and what I'm doing now.

Mentioned in this episode
My website, A Waldorf Journey
Blog post about my decision to leave teaching
Blog post about telling my students
A post about walking the growth mindset talk

My new project, Evolving Pigeon, for adult fans of the growth mindset
The Practical Art of the Waldorf Classroom
My other courses
My c...